~ I like the unusual among the usual and, if possible, I enjoy photographing things that make me and others smile.

Monthly Archives: Apr 2016

Last year, on holiday in Cabanas in the Algarve, a house suddenly appeared that had been hidden from general view. All the high trees and bushes that had hidden it from view had been cut down and behind it a splendid house hat appeared as if by magic.

What made this house so special is its form. It also had many windows, a garden that must have been spectacular in its heyday and a small swimming pool. Now, it is slowly decaying.

I asked around as to its origin and history at the reception of the place we were staying at. Nobody knew anything. I persisted and finally spoke to one of the other receptionists whose mother had cleaned the place.

He told me that it was a holiday residence. The owner was a film-maker, writer and a painter who lived in Lisbon. He used to come for weeks or months at a time. Now that he has died, the place is up for sale and will almost certainly be destroyed to make way for something ugly.

One afternoon as the the sun was high and the neighbours had their shutters down to keep the heat out, I sneaked into the house and took a few pictures.

I will be sad to see this place disappear. It is a witness to a bygone age and certainly does not deserve to be torn down.